Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Ajith and Jayaram are some of the stars who have closed the world to start a conversation with health and wellness Premium Ayurveda Retreats
Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Ajith and Jayaram are some of the stars who have closed the world to start a conversation with health and wellness Premium Ayurveda Retreats
A strong wind rips the calm surface of Paravoor Lake and blows across a vast verandah, making the wind chime pleasantly twinkle. Staffed in white thongs on the premises of Kalari Rasayan, the sun bathes the garden with a warm yellow glow. This is one of the premium Ayurveda treatment centers in Kerala in the picturesque location of Kollam. Patients are assured of customized care, confidentiality, confidentiality and strict adherence to Ayurveda treatment regimen protocols. Dr. Firoz Varun, Chief Medical Officer Kalari Rasayan, says, “We create a calm and aesthetic environment that helps us to heal while treating our patients.”
Wellness meets healing
At these Ayurveda retreats, patients turn off the world to detoxify their mind, body, and spirit in relaxing, sylvan settings. Differentiating between resorts that offer a massage or two, and Ayurveda retreats and hospitals, Rishabh Gupta, Head of Marketing, Kairali The Ayurvedic Healing Village, explains, “We are not a resort where tourists come for a vacation. Our 60 acre retreat in Palakkad is for patients who are suffering from ailments or who are in search of Ayurveda wellness therapy. ,
A guest at Niramaya Retreats | photo credit: special arrangement
In these locations, patients, therapists and therapists work together towards the healing process. A wide range of treatments can be chosen, be it for therapeutic purposes, weight loss, rejuvenation or maintaining your form. Dr Firoz says that qualified Ayurveda practitioners and practitioners decide the treatment protocol and diet of each patient. “There is a misconception that Ayurveda is all about massage. Not everyone should go for oil massage. Those opting for weight loss are given massages using sachets ( kizhi) is full of herbal powders,” he says.
Mamta Vasan, director of Mekosha, a boutique property near Attingal, believes that patients who check-in for treatment face a variety of physical problems. “And now, I think they have emotional issues besides stress. So, a break from the noise, pollution and demands of the world can be a wonderful therapeutic experience in itself,” she admits.
Actor Mohanlal In Gurukripa Virasat Ayurvedic Remedies By: photo credit: special arrangement
Aromatic medicated oil revitalizes tired muscles and ligaments as weathered hands relieve stress from a tired body, healthy nutritious foods replenish the gut; Baths and steam treatments flush out toxins; The soothing environment calms the mind. Medicines, enemas and vegetarian diets are part of the routine in addition to yoga and meditation to cleanse the body of toxins. Wi-Fi is limited to rooms and mobile phones. Television is allowed with restrictions in some places.
celeb rush
Who amongst the entertainment industry is enjoying them the most. Following Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar’s tweet in 2017 – how much he enjoyed his retreat and treatment at the “Ayurveda Ashram” – Kalari Kovilakom in Palakkad, owned by CGH Earth Ayurveda, posted on his social media page: “… We are glad that his stint at Kalari Kovilakom was so rejuvenating and transformative that he chose the platform to spread the word…” The observant CGH Earth property became public only after Akshay Kumar tweeted about Ayurveda. Another star to know about his Ayurveda treatment was Mohanlal who wrote about his experience in Gurukripa Virasat Ayurvedic treatment in Palakkad. So did Tamil film star Ajith.
Apart from silver screen stars, A-listers from the worlds of business, politics and entertainment are regulars at Ayurveda treatment centers for ailments ranging from lifestyle disorders, diabetes, stress and allergies to arthritis, weight management, immunity boosters, post-cancer. Treatment and post-COVID-19 complications.
no tourists please
Many Ayurveda hospitals in the public and private sectors offer authentic, holistic treatments. However, not all have plush rooms, picturesque surroundings, and personal care. Unlike many luxurious resorts that have Ayurveda treatments along with tours and entertainment, these retreats and hospitals are dedicated to Ayurveda medicine, yoga and meditation. Management does not encourage tourists who try to incorporate Ayurveda medicine as part of their India exploration experience.
Ayurveda Treatment at Somathiram in Thiruvananthapuram | photo credit: special arrangement
Krishnadas M, managing director of Gurukripa Heritage Ayurvedic Treatments, put it bluntly, “We don’t entertain tourists who expect to try or get a massage here for a day or two. Panchakarma (a treatment protocol). A certain number of days are required to complete the treatment. We cure diseases. And we only take patients who agree to follow our rules. The minimum number of stays is seven and in the meantime, they cannot leave the medical centre.”
Although Somathiram in Kovalam, perhaps one of the first resorts in Kerala to highlight Ayurveda treatment as its USP, and Niramaya Retreats is not against patients who, once they have completed their treatment, Kalari Kovilakom, Kalari Rasayan, Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village in Coimbatore and Vaidyagram Ayurveda Healing Village recommend residents to stay on campus.
In some places, patients planning a stay are required to fill out a questionnaire to help doctors understand their health concerns and, in turn, give patients access to treatment, diet and stay, and what is allowed and what is restricted. Yes, it has been told about. RTPCR test is now mandatory. The medicines should be taken on time and the treatment schedule should be followed to get the best results, Firoz elaborated.
Kalari Rasayan has a customized diet for each patient. photo credit: special arrangement
food center
Diet is customized according to each patient’s treatment and fresh vegetarian diet is ideal. Doctors send a diet for each guest on the campus every day, says Nishant M, a chef at Kalari Rasayan. “That chart is put in the kitchen and it tells us what should be included or what should be excluded while preparing food for the patients. We make sure that none of the food is refrigerated and spices are in moderation here,” he says.
Dr. Ramkumar, director of Vaidyagram, says that most of the food is grown in this premises. No fossil fuels are used for cooking to make the food as chemical free as possible. “We depend on solar and wind power, and recycle water. A sustainable and healthy lifestyle is what we promote and practice. We have sessions where we tell residents about how to cook healthy dishes, participate in cooking, etc,” he says.
Chef M Nishant at Kalari Rasayan | photo credit: special arrangement
post-lockdown traction
Although many Ayurveda retreats and hospitals have dropped shutters during the lockdown to contain the pandemic, currently, business is up and running as the world cautiously opens up for business. Its general manager Subhash C Bose says Somathiram was one of the few that remained open to treat international patients on medical visas in India. Gurukripa also reopened its location in March 2020, about 10 days after the first lockdown as hospitals were allowed to resume work.
After the pandemic, most wellness centers have seen a change in the profile of patients. “Before the lockdown in March 2020, many of our guests were from Europe and the Middle East. Russia and Ukraine were two important countries from where our guests came. The war between the two countries has been a frustrating and restrictive journey. But there has been a significant increase in domestic tourists coming for Ayurveda treatments,” says Dhaval Keerthy, head of marketing, Niramaya Retreats, which has properties in Kovalam and Kumarakom in Kerala.
A guest at Vaidyagram, Coimbatore. photo credit: special arrangement
Traditionally, the Malayalam month of Karakkadakam (July-August) is considered the ideal period for wellness and rejuvenation treatments. However, at present, the rush for Ayurveda medicine when monsoon rules over Kerala is not good for patients from other Indian states. Dr. Ramkumar explains that his patients used to come from 70 countries throughout the year until the pandemic stopped traveling. “It is only during the peak of summer (March to April) that we saw a drop in international arrivals at our centre. Currently, we are full, 80% of our patients are from Tamil Nadu and Indian metros.”
Sreejith KV, general manager of Kalari Rasayan, says, “Malayalees can go for the traditional Karakakkam Ayurveda wellness regime during monsoons. But this is not the case with patients from the rest of India. The season, if it can be called one, is from September to February.
In these luxurious places, the cost varies from ₹1 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh for 14 days, depending on the treatment and medicines.
For those looking for a break from stressful schedules and urban jungles, this is the ideal way to combine wellness and mindfulness.